Our Mission
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation invests resources, creates opportunities,
and promotes philanthropy to make the region a better place to live and work.

Our Values

Board

EXCELLENCE
We strive for the highest standards
in all our programs and services.
INTEGRITY
We are a trusted resource
demonstrating honesty and fairness
in our relationships with
partners, clients and colleagues.

* The people in the photos on the cover are from organizations that benefited from capacity
building sub-awards, made possible by the Compassion Capital Fund grant NMF received.

David Bergman
Director, Thief River Falls

Laurie Wilson
Director, Crookston

PASSION
We are committed to the region
and mission-driven in all our endeavors.
INNOVATION
We are forward thinking
and proactive in seeking out opportunities.
WISDOM
We apply knowledge of the region
and historical perspective
to make sound decisions.
PARTNERSHIPS
We are most effective
when working in cooperation with others.

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Mission, Values, Board of Directors

From the Board Chair and President
Hello, all!
“Give a man fish and you have fed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you have fed him for a lifetime.”
So goes the proverb, which could describe the nature of Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s efforts to help
the less fortunate in our region.
This year, NMF was selected to administer a large Compassion Capital grant from the federal government.
The grant was an ideal fit for NMF, as we have been “helping the helpers” for years.
The stories in this publication put together form a larger story: The hardworking staff at NMF is trusted to
get maximum mileage out of funds intended to help those in need.
We all know that throwing money at problems does little long-term good. NMF’s strategy is to help the helpers, those in the trenches,
by providing them with training, equipment and expertise. In the process, the helpers meet each other and share ideas. What works in
one part of the region quickly spreads.
NMF’s staff is also entrusted to distribute funds designed to encourage entrepreneurship and help businesses compete. Through the
IDEA competition, NMF brings in outside capital to help fledgling inventors. Through the business development program, NMF brings
in outside dollars to help small companies get on their feet and stay there.
The twelve counties served by NMF are home to a total of 160,000 people. Even though vast distances separate our neighborhoods,
we are really one big small city.
The NMF programs highlighted here bring together people from throughout the region to share ideas that will benefit us all.

Our Accomplishments
Since inception in 1986:
Business loan programs with over $5 million in
assets have made 437 loans for a total of $20.3 million
Creation or retention of almost 2,400 jobs
Lending has leveraged $80.4 million in
additional funds
Made over 4,000 grants totaling $36.1 million
Adult and youth leadership programs have provided
training for more than 2,600 leaders
Specially designed non-profit management and
diversity training programs have addressed
the special needs of 566 organizations and 89
communities
$41.4 million total assets
Component funds and sub-funds number 333,
with assets totaling $11.8 million

Nancy Vyskocil
President
Tim Wang
Finance Director
David West
Senior Program OfficerBusiness Finance

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2010
Annual
Report

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The Foundation for Respect

General Overview & Highlights

General Overview & Highlights
Fiscal Year 2010 marks the second year of our current five-year plan. It has been a time of remarkable
growth, both in our programs and in our services to donors. While the national economy continued to struggle
and the foundation world continued to retrench, NMF
was able to significantly expand the scope, quality and
effectiveness of its work in Northwest Minnesota. Never
before has the organization achieved a comparable level
of regional engagement.
The level of services available to our component fund
advisory boards was increased substantially through the
introduction of a training-and-technical-assistance program called Sustaining Success. This effort marks a
new level of integration between our granting and training functions and our development office. It was piloted
over the past year by our Early Childhood coalitions,
which are now preparing sustainability plans for each
of their respective funds (and which raised more than
$72,000 in contributions last year alone).
Consulting services to clients of our Business Development Program were more than doubled with additional funds provided by the Small Business Administration. Participants in the Business Finance Program
were also afforded a new range of benefits, including
financial aid for participating in the Northwest Minnesota CEO Roundtable and training sessions held at the
Anderson Center in St. Cloud.
One hundred and twenty students in 6th and 7ith
grades, their advisors and youth advocates participated in the STAR Team leadership program. All STAR
Teams conducted community projects in their schools
and/or communities. The Teams delivered training on
STAR concepts to fellow students and/or community
members. Many projects involved teaching younger
students about topics addressed in the training: dealing
with bullies, conflict styles, listening skills, and cooperative games.
The Healthy Lakes and Rivers Program was reintroduced with another round of training and technical
assistance delivered to nine lake associations in Beltrami, Clearwater and Hubbard Counties. This occurred
along with the establishment of new charitable funds by
three lake associations and one coalition of lake associations (an example of synergy between our operational
functions and our development work).
IMPACT 20/20 moved from planning to action with
three initiatives designed to achieve long-range impact
on the economy of Northwest Minnesota. These include
Northwest Minnesota Foundation

ambitious attempts to increase high school graduation
rates, improve leadership skills of local business managers, and expand personal and business access to broadband.
The IDEA Competition saw great public interest in
the business ideas of new and emerging entrepreneurs
and has begun to show tangible results as their products
are commercialized and brought to market. This is an
outstanding example of growing business and employment opportunities locally, instead of trying to recruit
them from outside the region.
The five winners in 2010 were Insect Inferno,
LaValley Industries LLC, Mac-Attatch Inc, sf(x) Engineering Inc, and Trophy Head Shot. Each received
$10,000 in cash to advance their business idea, plus up
to an additional $10,000 of specialized technical assistance.
• Insect Inferno, owned by Corey and Sue Westrum, and
Jason Van’t Hul, Leonard, MN, is a mobile unit that
uses heat to kill insects and their eggs. Originally designed for bedbugs, the unit can be used to eliminate
other insects as well.
• LaValley Industries LLC, owned by Jason and Roger
LaValley, Bemidji, MN, has developed and is manufacturing an excavator attachment called the DECKHAND
for the pipeline industry. The DECKHAND automates
the manipulation of various types of pipe. It allows a
single operator to manipulate pipe with total control.
• Mac-Attach Inc., owned by Scott Gustafson, McIntosh,
MN, has invented a chemical applicator called the
Mac-Attach Articulator. They have two models-one
that mounts on a three-point hitch and a smaller unit
that can be used with an all-terrain vehicle. The innovative design allows the unit to be used in between
plants as well as in between rows. It can be used with
either a pre-emergent sprayer or a post-emergent
sponge applicator.
• Nancy Fisher, Warroad, MN, has designed an innovative play product for children called Highway My-Way.
The paper product features realistic-looking asphalt
roads, complete with curves, on a self-stick, easy on/
easy off paper.
• Trophy Head Shot, owned by Tim Sargent, Ada, MN, is
a new product designed for hunters who want an easier way to take a photo of a trophy game animal. The
product is ideal for outfitters, guides, and hunters-anyone who wants to take a photo or shoot a video of his/
her trophy to share with clients, friends and family.
(Continued on next page)

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2010
Annual
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5

General Overview & Highlights

(Continued from page 4)

Grants have continued to expand capacity and
help with a wide variety of community and organizational needs.
• Villa St. Vincent in Crookston received support for a Senior/Student Surf Connection, which brought together
students from the University of Minnesota Crookston
and senior citizens in an inter-generational effort.
NMF also donated several repurposed computers for
this project.
• Rural Minnesota CEP Inc. received NMF funds for a
project to help improve the workplace skills for at-risk
youth in Beltrami and Clearwater Counties.
• Polk County Public Health received a grant to help improve the health delivery systems in several counties in
the region.
• White Earth Reservation received a grant to help the
tribe develop a comprehensive land use plan for guideing future development on the reservation.
• Marshall County Soil and Water Conservation District
received a grant to help organize and develop a new
Thief River Watershed Weed Management Network,
which will address the issue of invasive plants.
(1) The eighth year of the Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) brought opportunities for planning, networking and sustainable growth for our region’s
twelve ECI coalitions. The Sustaining Success series piloted with the ECIs spurred new long-term project plans
and fund development strategies designed to ensure the
continuation of the ECI, while meeting the identified
needs of each community’s children birth-to-age-five
and the people who care for them. Projects in the ECI
coalitions address local priorities, often including: early
literacy, social-emotional development, health promotion, skilled and knowledgeable child care, and a smooth
transition to kindergarten.
(2) Linde Linde, NMF’s newest administrative assistant, came to the foundation via Experience Works,
a program that helps improve the lives of older people
through community service training and employment.
She began her training in March 2009, was hired parttime on Jan. 1 and then became a full-time employee. She
was honored as the state’s 2010 Minnesota Champion
and Outstanding Participant.
(3) Our public profile was considerably heightened when we convened our second Regional Summit
around the topic of leadership. Attended by more than
200 people, this event was a further demonstration of the
role NMF has assumed in gathering local opinion leaders

Northwest Minnesota Foundation

around topics of critical concern to Northwest Minnesota. Keynote speaker Ann Bancroft captivated the participants with her presentation about leading expeditions to
the Arctic and Antarctic. Andy Wells, Dr. Kathleen Annette, Kristine Paranica and a panel of leadership program specialists contributed their perspectives on what
it means to lead and various paths to becoming an effective leader.
(4) Excellence awards were presented at different
times and places this year. In October 2009, Rebecca
Hoffman of Ours to Serve House of Hospitality received
the Ruth Edevold Organizational Excellence Award.
Hoffman led an effort to construct a new facility for the
homeless in Bemidji, overcoming countless obstacles to
complete. Steve Eickman was presented with the Ruth
Edevold Excellence in Leadership Award. Steve has
been a great champion for LeaderImpact. He has taken
what he learned in the program to improve his business practices, helping his employees to participate in
the program, and using aspects of the training in building positive relationships with clients. In May 2010, Dr.
Kathleen Annette was presented with a Quality of Place
award, recognizing her contributions to improving public health through her work with the Indian Health Service.
(5) NMF delivered LeaderImpact to 42 people in
FY 10. Evaluators have noted that a subtle but obvious
theme for participants is one of self-awareness and improved leadership abilities. Participants’ colleagues report that they have more confidence, and are able to use
their strengths more effectively.
Training and technical assistance offered through
our Nonprofit Excellence Program was quadrupled,
with an infusion of nearly $.5 million from the federal
Compassion Capital Fund (US Department of Health
and Human Services).
For the purposes of the grant, the program was expanded and named the Capacity Development Initiative. It’s design helped to build an organizing framework
and comprehensive vision to increase the capacity of
faith-based (FBOs) and community based organizations
(CBOs) to more efficiently and effectively serve individuals and families in need. The organizations involved
were able to deliver their services from a position of increased capacity. CDI focuses on organizations serving
individuals and families with the most pressing social
service needs.
The following story gives examples of how this work
made a difference in the region.

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2010
Annual
Report
A series of effective
workshops
were held to
help strengthen
and sustain
organizations

Capitalizing on Opportunities
Compassion Capital Fund Grants Reach Out to People and Organizations
In the summer of 2009, the Northwest Minnesota
Foundation applied to the US Department of Human
Services for a Compassion Capital Fund grant (CCF).
A team of three outside consultants, under the leadership of Jane McKelvy, NMF program officer - training,
worked diligently to write a comprehensive grant application to serve NMF’s 12-county region. In September,
NMF was notified that the grant would be awarded.
“NMF has a history of delivering programs that build
capacity of organizations in the region through its grant
initiatives, leadership, organizational effectiveness and
diversity training,” said NMF President Nancy Vyskocil.
“Thanks to the CCF grant, leaders and organizations received ongoing technical assistance through workshops,
assessments, and sub-awards, built on previously successful NMF strategies updated to reflect current needs.”
CCF’s main focus was to assist both community
based and faith based organizations (non-profits) in
building their capacity to better serve those most in need
– including the under and unemployed; people living
in poverty; high risk youth; and underserved populations including communities of color, the elderly, and
disabled youth and adults. Capacity activities were defined in five areas: Community Engagement, Program
Development, Organization Development, Leadership
Development and Financial Development. None of the
awarded funds could be used for direct programming or
capital improvements (building or remodeling that was
permanent). Faith-based organizations were required
to use the funds for their secular programming.
After a brief training session in Washington, DC, the
NMF grant management team of McKelvy and consultant Dawn Ganje, designed, developed and delivered a
CCF sub-award application process – including information sessions, application materials, and commonly
asked questions, held in four towns across the NMF region. Applications were posted on the website and an
award review process and review team was established.
Twenty-five sub-award grants were made in two cohorts
of applications. The grantees are listed on pages 12
and 13.

Awards ranged from $3,786 to $14,980. Activities
included: Purchase of computers and other technology (including digital pens for counselors working inthe-field, commercial freezers and refrigerators; the
purchase of consulting services for marketing, strategic planning, board training; training in new program
components to increase services; storage for files, food,
clothing; and many consumable supplies – marketing
materials, training materials.
As the federal grant recipient, NMF was required to
design and deliver training and technical assistance for
not just the grantees but also to benefit the general population of non-profits in the region and address the five
defined capacity building areas listed above. Technical
assistance and training was offered in Inter-Cultural
Communications – train the trainer, LeaderImpact, Financial Boot Camp for Boards, Legal Issues for Boards,
Evaluating Your Executive Officer, Finding the Magic in
Strategic Evaluation, Human Resources, and Financial
Literacy – train the trainer. Over 330 people throughout the region have attended CCF trainings through
NMF. A total of 407 training hours and 2,736 technical
assistance hours have been delivered.
The Compassion Capital Funds also awarded funding for two demonstration projects under the Beltrami
County Community Resource Connections project.
The first is an online volunteer registration website
wantotovolunteer.org where non-profits can register
their need for volunteers. The second is an asset mapping project – also on line – that allows a region to examine its existing services, duplication of services, and
needs for services. Both demonstration projects have
drawn considerable interest and attention for use in
other parts of NMF’s region.
Vyskocil said, “This program resulted in the strengthening of our regional social assets -- strong leadership,
diversity, effective charitable organizations, supportive
social services, and building capacity of individuals in
the social sector -- that insure Quality of Place.” She
added, “The success of this project has helped the region
to be a more attractive place to live and work.”
The stories on page 10 illustrate the power of the
Compassion Capital Fund grants.
(Continued on next page)

Submitted by Lorna Cooper, Volunteer Director
The “Yes, You, Can!” program is an extension of the
United Churches of Akeley and Nevis programs. UCAN
provides advocacy and financial assistance to families
and individuals in crisis and saw the need to further assist the underemployed and unemployed. The “Yes, You
Can!” program concept was born. A small Compassion
Capital Fund grant provided some supplies, technical
equipment, training, and technical assistance, which
then generated tremendous support from the surrounding community. The project has involved community
volunteers, schools, churches, Minnesota Workforce
and Displaced Homemakers program. The community
assisted in cleaning, painting, reconfiguring the center
site and donating good work clothing.
“Yes, You Can!” will help clients to find and retrain
jobs, write resumes, learn computer skills, and have appropriate job seeking attire. Community members have
volunteered to work as intake personnel and mentors.
These individuals are current or retired professionals
with a wide range of skills. The volunteers have dedicated hours at training sessions with a training module
designed for “Yes, You Can!” by a human resources volunteer. Donated computers are available for job searches and resume writing.

Strandquist Area Food Shelf

Submitted by Board Member Darlene Larson Matz
The Strandquist Area Food Shelf applied for a Compassion Capital Fund grant to replace its original freezer
and refrigerator with commercial sized appliances.
For the twenty years the Food Shelf had been in existence, the number of households served has increased
from 6 to over 75 per month, but the refrigerator and
freezer were still the original household appliances purchased 20 years ago.
“When perishable food was available, the size of the
old appliances greatly limited how much could be purchased; yet, perishable items like cheese and frozen meat
are greatly appreciated by the clients,” Matz stated. “The
commercial refrigerator and freezer increase the amount
of storage space by at least 3 times and simplify distribution day. This increased capacity enables the Strandquist
Food Shelf to serve its clients more adequately. We are
grateful to the NMF for making this grant available!”

Northwest Minnesota Foundation

Helping the Helpers:
CCF Grant Links Professionals
and Faith Based Organizations
The Evangelical Covenant Church of Crookston was
the anchoring agency for a collaboration that implemented seven Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and
Psychological First Aid (PFA) trainings in Crookston,
Thief River Falls, Ada, East Grand Forks, Fosston, Warren, and Bemidji. Over 80 pastors, church staff, parish
nurses and volunteers took part. Each training event
included 12 hours of MHFA and two hours of PFA. All
participants with full attendance received certification
in both curricula.
Along with the workshops, clergy and other FaithBased Organization representatives formed an advisory
group to guide further collaborative efforts between
FBOs and human service agencies. More workshops
have been requested by FBOs. Other funders in the region have stepped up to cover some of the training expenses.
Several pastors reported that they immediately began using the training information and as a result have
more effectively assisted parishioners with their needs.
Several cases were referred for professional services,
while pastors provided support to the individuals and
their families.
Northwestern Mental Health Center (NMHC) took
over as lead collaborator after the pastor from the
church resigned. Tim Denney of NMHC reported that
more collaboration on crisis cases is occurring between
FBOs and service agencies. The county social service
directors are talking about collaboration with FBOs on
service provision. FBO staff members are seeking more
training.
NMHC also reported that before becoming involved
with the Compassion Capital grant, they had no contact with any faith-based organizations, and the FBOs
had no connection to the human services system. Now
NMHC is communicating with FBOs and clergy in all
eight counties of their region, has regular meetings with
an advisory group of nearly 20 FBOs, has more training
plans under development with the group, and has several collaboration initiatives under development.

Public Disclosure 990
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation will make available for public inspection the last three years of its tax
documents, including Internal Revenue Service Forms 990, 990-T (if applicable), and the Community Foundation’s application for tax exemption, IRS Form 1023, and its most recent audit. If the request for any of these
documents is made in person, the requested documents will be provided on the day of the request, if possible. If
the request is in writing (including e-mail), copies will be provided within 30 days. The requestor will be charged
a reasonable fee for the cost of copying, plus postage. Additionally, the IRS 990 documents will be available on
the website at www.nwmf.org through a link to Guidestar.

Financials

Fiscal Year 2010
July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010

Grants
Fiscal Year 2010 Total Grants:

$1,546,114

Headwaters Regional Development ........ $50,000
For Implementing the Pioneer Impact
Education Task Force Work Program

Growth Management

Caring Communities Total:......$162,548

City of Mahnomen......................................... $11,250
For City of Mahnomen Codification

Clear Waters Life Center.............................. $22,588
For Grow It

White Earth Reservation............................. $20,000
For Developing a Land Use Plan, including
Assessment and Policy Guidance

Community Connections Total:... $70,000
Northwoods Caregivers............................. $20,000
For NICE At Home
Peacemaker Resources.............................. $25,000
For Bemidji Area Prevention Collaboration Creation and
Development
Polk County Public Health...........................$25,000
For Northwest Minnesota Health Improvement Program

Community Planning Total:.....$183,250
Economic & Community Development
Headwaters Regional Development ............$22,000
For Bemidji Institute
Red Lake Band of Chippewa...........................$5,000
For NMTEDC Organizational Development
and Strategic Plan
Wells Academy, Inc......................................$25,000
For Wells Academy Training and Capacity Building Project

New Technologies
Northwest Regional Development ...............$25,000
For NW Minnesota Renewable Energy Template
University of Minnesota, Crookston...............$2,500
For A Climate Neutral UM-Crookston: Vision and Action

Organizational Effectiveness
Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji Area...............$600
For Staff Training
Northwest Technical College Foundation..........$290
For Fund Development Planning Session
Northwest Technical College Foundation...........$871
For Fund Development Planning Session

Component Fund Total:...........$735,024
Component funds are established with NMF for a specific
purpose. A local fund advisory committee recommends
distributions based on their funds’ purposes and criteria. The
NMF board, for purposes of IRS regulations, approves the
advisory recommendations for grants, but the component
funds are the source of the grant dollars.

Warren Living at Home/
Block Nurse Program.....................................$4,800
For Helping People Live Happier Healthier Lives at Home
White Earth ReservationHuman Service ............................................ $13,500
For Constituent Service Data Collection System

Business Loans and Investments
Fiscal Year 2010
Loans and investments totaling $1,069,614

GENERAL BUSINESS LOANS
Financing is available for business start-ups and
expansions that create new jobs leading to long-term
community impact, diversification of the economy and
that leverage other sources of funds
to increase total capital investment in the region.
Loans totaling $810,000 were made to:
Northland Kilns, Bagley
For development and construction
of a Sterilizing Wood Kiln
Lakewood Energy, LLC, Baudette
For a feasibility study to determine the viability
of a biomass energy production facility
EXB Solutions, Inc., Bemidji
Operating line of credit for working capital
Creepy Crawler Industries, Baudette
To develop the business of growing
and selling live bait
Larson Parts & Repair, Inc.
For building expansion to accommodate
business growth
One Community Vitality loan was made for financing
retail and other operations that are
vital for the health of communities:
Cornerstone Nursing
& Rehab Center, Inc., Bagley
Capital for a new assisted living facility
The Business Development Programs of the Northwest
Minnesota Foundation receive funding and support
from the Minnesota Department of Employment and
Economic Development and United States Department of
Agriculture Rural Development as well as the Small Business
Administration and Fannie Mae.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
The Northwest Minnesota Foundation provides
assistance in the loan application process and after
the loan is made. Staff provides technical assistance
to increase a business owner’s capacity to successfully
manage and operate their business and increase its
prospects for long-term success. Assistance is provided
by staff or consultants and may include workshops,
classroom training and individual counseling.
· 244 people received personal technical
assistance counseling
· $48,854 supported consulting to assist
19 entrepreneurial businesses
· $90,000 was awarded to nine
IDEA competition winners
· Sixteen classroom training workshops were
sponsored for 86 attendees
· Fifteen workshops with various entities or trainers
were delivered for 84 attendees

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2010
Annual
Report

Fund Development Overview
In Fiscal Year 2010, NMF continued to receive numerous requests for assistance with community-wide
and public spendable projects. While NMF continues
to encourage the creation and gifting to endowment
funds, we also see a need to respond to the critical issues of today and the opportunity to support donor
interest in providing direct support for public or community projects. These “public-private” partnerships
are helping our communities continue on their Quality
of Place journey.

Of the 16 new component funds established, four support area lakes, rivers and watersheds. These funds
resulted from area residents being involved with the
Healthy Lakes and Rivers Partnership Program. A desire arose among participants to sustain the work that
was accomplished to protect lakes and rivers. The
Grace Lake Fund received a grant from the NMF Natural Resources program for aerial laser mapping of the
lake to identity troubled areas. As an example of a new
fund immediately acting on its mission, they were able
to match the grant through generous gifts to their fund.

Community Funds have been established in key areas throughout the NMF region. These funds maintain a local
focus and work to address the same needs as the foundation itself, but in a manner specific to those communities in which
they serve. Sub-funds organized as part of the community fund usually fit one of the categories listed below.

Community Service Funds have been established to support agencies, organizations, and groups that serve to
enhance the quality of life in communities throughout the region.

Cultural Funds have been established to support organizations or groups that promote and preserve all aspects of
the arts and other cultural pursuits in Northwest Minnesota.
Donor Advised Funds have been established to enable a donor to be actively involved in choosing which organizations receive grants from the fund. This type of fund provides great flexibility to the donor while avoiding the costs and
demands of a private foundation.
Economic Development Funds have been established to support organizations that promote business development and expansion in Northwest Minnesota.
Education and Scholarship Funds have been established to support school systems, extracurricular activi-

Environmental Funds have been established to support organizations and groups that promote and preserve the
environment, watersheds, lake associations, outdoor recreation, and community beautification or vitality.
Health Care Funds have been established to support organizations and programs that provide services promoting health and wellness; that adds strength to the health care systems in the region, and; support medical education.

Regional Funds have been established to support a variety of programs or organizations serving the twelve-county
region or an area larger than a county or single community.

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Fund Development Overview

Fiscal Year 2010
July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010

New Funds
Lake Bemidji Summer Opera Festival Fund
Supports the production of local opera events and the
opportunity for local residents to learn about producing professional musical events
Wells Academy Fund
Provides support for programs, projects and activities benefiting the mission of Wells Academy
Nymore Dog Park Fund
Supports programs, projects and activities for the development and use of a public dog park in Bemidji
Thrive Initiative Fund
Supports community projects that benefit children birth age 5
Positively Park Rapids Fund
Support for programs, projects and activities that enhance
downtown Park Rapids
Grace Lake Charitable Fund
Supports programs, projects and activities that protect and
enhance Grace Lake and its watershed
Akeley Area Community Fund
Supports charitable, educational and public purpose projects
that will enhance or improve the quality of life for residents
and/or visitors of the Akeley area
Big Sand Lake Charitable Fund
Supports programs, projects and activities that protect and
enhance the quality of Big Sand Lake and its environs
Bagley Community Playground Fund
To provide financial support for planning, design, development, construction and maintenance of a youth playground
and related activities located at Bagley Elementary School
Stephen Curling Fund
Supports programs, projects and activities in Stephen that
encourage the sport of curling
Lake Plantagenet Charitable Fund
Supports programs, projects and activities that protect, preserve and enhance Lake Plantagenet and its environs
Bemidji Symphony Orchestra Fund
Supports the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra in its mission to

New, Community & Component Funds

The Bemidji Area Arts Endowment was presented with the 2010
NMF Community Philanthropy Award. Its purpose is to recognize a fund that has helped to build and strengthen the culture of
philanthropy in the region. Mike Tangen, president of BAAE, accepted the award from NMF president Nancy Vyskocil at a donor
reception in May at the Tangens. The sculpture award, created by
Al Belleveau, was accompanied by a $1,000 gift from NMF to the
Bemidji Area Arts’ general endowment fund.

bring classical music to new audiences and provide performance experience for musicians
Earle and Mariann Dickinson Family Education Fund
Supports educational activities, programs or institutions that
help young people to understand the Bemidji area’s history,
economic, social and cultural heritage; provides scholarships
to students in Bemidji area schools, especially Bemidji High
School, TrekNorth Junior and Senior High School and Voyageurs Expeditionary High School
Hubbard County COLA Charitable Fund
Supports charitable and educational programs, projects and
activities that protect, preserve and enhance the quality of
area lakes and their environs
Bronko Nagurski Education Fund
Support for charitable and educational programs, projects,
and activities, benefiting International Falls ISD # 361, with
priority given to the Bronko Nagurski Education Scholarship
Program (providing scholarships to qualified students from
ISD #361 who are pursuing post-secondary education)
Fertile-Beltrami Area Community Fund
Supports charitable, educational and public purpose projects
that will enhance or improve the quality of life of the Fertile
and Beltrami areas
Donors are not listed in the annual report in the interest of conserving our natural and financial resources. Over 4,900 donors
who generously supported the foundation and all of the NMF funds
in Fiscal Year 2010 are found in a linked document on the website
at www.nwmf.org – About Us - Annual Report. Thank you.